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Campaign for runoff unnecessary: Home Ministry
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Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama (standing) and his running mate Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat are seen next to their rivals Anies Baswedan (second right) and Sandiaga Uno (right) during the third gubernatorial debate at Bidakara Hotel in Jakarta on Feb. 10. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
T
he Home Ministry believes a campaign period for the second round of the Jakarta gubernatorial election slated for April 19 is unnecessary.
Sumarsono, the ministry’s regional autonomy director, said the candidates had already imparted their respective visions for the city during the first round of the election and in the three official debates.
"A campaign for the runoff is unnecessary. However, if there is any campaign period, it shouldn't be long. Ten days would be enough," Sumarsono said as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday.
He said the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) would ensure that neither candidate violated election regulations ahead of the runoff. Bawaslu will also monitor the incumbent candidates to make sure they do not misuse the facilities of the state for campaigning, he added.
However, Sumarsono said the Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta) had the authority to decide whether or not a campaign period was necessary. "We will respect their decision," he said.
Citing regional election Law No. 10/2016, Sumarsono said an acting governor would be appointed if the incumbents took leave to campaign.
Earlier last week, KPU Jakarta head Sumarno said the commission would again oblige Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat and Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno to campaign.
The campaign period will last for one-and-a-half months, he said. (cal)
